Construction begins on California Boulevard

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Construction on California Boulevard here will run through early December. The 30th Civil Engineer Squadron will peform maintenance on the road from the Santa Maria Gate to Utah Avenue. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Angelina DellaRocco-Rukavina)

Construction begins on California Boulevard

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 30th Civil Engineer Squadron began construction on California Boulevard here from the Santa Maria Gate to Utah Avenue on Aug. 26. Two of the road's three lanes will remain open at all times. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Angelina DellaRocco-Rukavina)

Browning Room dedication ceremony

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Members of the 576th Flight Test Squadron here place the official Browning Room sign above the door during a ceremony at the 576th FLTS building here Aug. 21. The squadron dedicated the conference room to retired Lt. Col. Jerry Browning. After 30 years active duty, Mr. Browning worked in the 576th FLTS for six years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

AAFES gas station closure

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service gas station here will close from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug 25. The station will undergo a biannual test,ensuring the pumps do not emit hazardous fumes into the air. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Vandenberg firefighters help battle La Brea blaze

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- An Ericcson Skycrane departs after filling up with 2,000 gallons of flame retardant to drop on the persistent La Brea wildfire here Aug. 13. Vandenberg firefighters have deployed Fire Engine 43, Tender 5 (a water tender), Hot Shot crewmembers and a helicopter support manager to help stop the fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Vandenberg firefighters help battle La Brea blaze

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- The La Brea fire blazes through the hills of the Los Padres National Forest here Aug. 13. Vandenberg firefighters have responded to the fire in support of fire departments from California to Delaware. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Basketball playoffs underway

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The playoffs begin for the over-30 basketball league Aug. 4 at the fitness center here. The championship game is scheduled to take place Aug. 10 at the fitness center gym here. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kerelin Molina)

FSS offers boxing workout

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Getting Team V fit to fight (literally), the 30th Force Support Squadron offers a challenging boxing workout on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 5-7 p.m. with boxing coach Don Green. For more information, call the Vandenberg Fitness Center at 606-3832. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kerelin Molina)

Fire in the sky

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team V received a glimpse of a rare optical phenomenon here May 18. The circumhorizontal arc, more popularly known as a "fire rainbow," appeared in the skies above Vandenberg approximately 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The arc is formed when sunlight rays interact with the ice crystals of cirrus clouds, producing well-separated rainbow-like colors. If the crystal alignment is just right, this interaction makes the entire cirrus cloud appear to shine like a fiery rainbow. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Matthew Plew)

Fitness center parking change

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Parking is now prohibited at any time on the entry and exit ways across the street from the Vandenberg Fitness Center. Visitors may park in the parking lots at the Outdoor Recreation Center, gym annex or Airman and Family Readiness Center. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Chief's Induction Ceremony

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Senior Master Sgt. Joe Coble, the 595th Space Group Location Alpha quality assurance superintendent, and Chief Master Sgt. Carey Allen, the 576th Flight Test Squadron superintendent, stand to be recognized at the Chief Master Sergeant Induction Ceremony April 9 at the Pacific Coast Club here. The ceremony welcomed Vandenberg's newest chiefs to the highest enlisted grade in the Air Force. Edwin 'Doc' Pepping, a World War II veteran and Bronze Star recipeint, spoke to the two newly inducted chiefs about the importance of teamwork and camaraderie during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

Honoring the past

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Chief Master Sgt. Cari Kent, the 30th Space Wing Command Chief, shares a gift with guest speaker Edwin 'Doc' Pepping to express appreciation during the Chief Master Sergeant Induction Ceremony April 9 at the Pacific Coast Club here. The ceremony welcomed Vandenberg's newest chiefs to the highest enlisted grade in the Air Force. Mr. Pepping, a World War II veteran and Bronze Star recipient, spoke during the ceremony to the two newly inducted chiefs about the importance of teamwork and camaraderie.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

Pool opens

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The base pool officially re-opens after ribbon-cutting ceremony here March 12. The more than 50 year-old pool was vandalized in August, 2008 and closed for cleaning. The pool received nearly $750,000 in upgrades after it was discovered that various pipes were leaking and causing massive looses in money per year. The upgrades are projected to save Vandenberg more than $100,000 per year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Longoria)

Pool opens

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Steven Wright, the 30th Mission Support Group commander, expresses his thanks and appreciation to the people involved with the upgrades to the base pool at its official re-opening ribbon-cutting ceremony here March 12. The more than 50 year-old pool was vandalized in August, 2008 and closed for cleaning. The pool received nearly $750,000 in upgrades after it was discovered that various pipes were leaking and causing massive looses in money per year. The upgrades are projected to save Vandenberg more than $100,000 per year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Longoria)

Listen and learn

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.- Greg Rabinovitz, an FBI bomb technician, instructs members of the interview team on what to look for and what questions to ask during a bomb explosion investigation March 10 here. The role of an interviewer was one of many taught during the Large Vehicle Bomb Post Blast class taught by the FBI at Vandenberg March 10-12. The class hosted a number of actors studying techniques used by the FBI and EOD for use in future roles in an upcoming television show. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Heather Shaw)

Post-blast inspection

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.- Members of the FBI Large Vehicle Bomb Post Blast class investigate the blast site of the vehicle detonated by Vandenberg's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team March 11 here. The class hosted a number of actors studying techniques used by the FBI and EOD for use in future roles in an upcoming television show. (U.S. Air Force photo\Airman 1st Class Heather R. Shaw)

How to improve your game: Defense

3) Raise up periodically to place pressure on the ball.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

Watch out for deer

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Vandenberg’s vast acreage is home to many active wildlife populations, including deer. Motorists should remain vigilant and follow the tips offered by 30th Space Wing Safety.

How to improve your game: Free throws

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Follow this sequence to improve your basketball game. Don't forget, Vandenberg's intramural basketball season is underway. Call the Vandenberg Fitness Center at 606-3832 to find out when your squadron is playing. (U.S. Air Force photo graphic/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)

Are you WAPS ready?

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Weighted Airman Promotion System testing cycle begins in February with testing for promotion to technical and master sergeant. While Airmen must study on their own, the Space and Missile Times offers up test-taking tips, test room rules to remember, as well as study advice from the 30th Space Wing command chief. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

How to improve your game: Lay-ups

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Shoe grip is Important. Basketball shoes that are old and flat on the bottom can have very little grip on the court. Playing basketball is a very difficult task when your feet are sliding around on the court, but there are steps you can take to improve your shoe grip; Such as wiping the bottoms of your basketball shoes before each game. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Matthew Plew)

How to improve your game: Lay-ups

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Dribble the ball with your dominant hand, and approach the basket slowly, dribbling the ball. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Matthew Plew)

Migrating monarchs

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Although eucalyptus trees are not native, some groves provide the only available protection to the monarchs during critical wintering months, including groves on Vandenberg. Because VAFB has many groves of eucalyptus trees available for the monarchs, there are generally smaller numbers of monarchs at each site, than other sites along the coastline. (Photo by Robert Bumpass)

JFCC SPACE, 14th Air Force gets new commander

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Lt. Gen. Larry James assumes command of the 14th Air Force and the Joint Functional Component Command for Space in a change-of-command ceremony at the Joint Space Operations Center here Tuesday. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Heather R. Shaw)